British Snoring & Sleep Apnoea Association

Hi ya

I'm a 27yr old female who got diagnosed with severe sleep
Apnoea Friday just gone. I have now been referred to the sleep disorder clinic in Easr Grinstead under Dr Venn (Has anyone been?). I've been told the referral could take 2 months or so, therefor until then when I will be given a CPAP machine, I can't drive and I have to continue struggling with being exhausted constantly. I have a very stressful job and I am under a
cardiologist for High BP (Tuesdays reading was 153/114) which we cannot control and think this is a side effect of the sleep apnoea.

My question is has anyone taken leave from work? I want to see if I can perhaps do a four day week and be signed off for the other day (pref a Wednesday so splits my week).

Any comments, suggestions or helpful tips to not feel so dreadful would be great.

Thanks

It is very frustrating to be waiting for an appointment when you are suffering and the appointment will make all the difference to you being diagnosed and treated.

Might I suggest you contact the hospital again and make it very clear how OSA is currently ruining your life and is impinging on other serious medical conditions. Tell them that you would be more than happy to take a short notice cancellation (if you can get to the hospital quickly and easily). If that happens, that seems to me to be a reasonable situation to take time off work 'for an urgent hospital appointment'.

All the very best, and please keep in touch.

Hi Dott,
I only took time off work to go. to appointments, but had it gone on longer before my appointment came through I would have had to take time off.
I hope you have an understanding
employer.
They should try to be adaptable but as others here will tell you it is not always what happens in life.
Good luck with your employer.

As suggested above, follow the advice regarding appointment

Thanks guys

I spoke to the clinic yesterday and the wait is 2-3 months so have written them a cover letter explaining the impact!

Fingers crossed I'll hear something soon

OSA is a condition covered by the Disability Discrimination Act. Under that legislation you have the right to expect your employers to make reasonable adjustments to your working conditions. If they refuse they are breaking the law and you may have a claim against them. If you are a member of a trade union seek out you rep get them involved. If you are not a member of a Union - join one.

Hi DottyElmo,

I was in the same predicament. What I did was called the hospital every day and ask if there were any cancellations, luckily they had one the very next day for me. If you call them and are polite they won't mind and will probably be grateful of filling the cancelled the appointment.

As Headthrob says, it is good advice.
Be prepared to go at short notice.

Thanks for all your messages. After chasing the clinic nearly every day they have offered me an appointment for Thursday can't wait to go now

HURRAY DOTTY!!! Well done for your perseverence and hope that the appointment answers all your questions and puts you on track for successful management of your sleep apnoea and a significant drop in your blood pressure.

Once you have got used to using your xPAP machine and its mask, I'm sure you'll see the numbers of nightly apnoeas drop like a stone and make you feel more reassured as well.

Good luck for Thursday and do keep in touch!

Remember to let us know how you get on.

Thats great news Dotty, I hope it goes well.
With sleep disorders, ignorance can really dominate any discussion you have about it. When I spoke to my work before about changing my hours to treat my condition, I found they were a little too eager to merely label me as "lazy" and made flippant comments about me staying too late or sleeping on cheap mattresses which I should get replaced. In this respect, I found it best to produce medical certificates and bring leaflets etc to work to educate others that I wasnt shirking, I was genuinely suffering. It hasnt been easy but I find that now, people are a little more understanding of my life.
I hope people can have a similar success